HomeTechHacker: The Future of Smart Home Tech: Insights from CES 2025

By Marlon Buchanan

I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend CES 2025, the world’s largest tech show held annually in Las Vegas. 

As a tech enthusiast and smart home advocate, walking through the exhibits felt like stepping into a sci-fi movie. From artificial intelligence (AI)-driven devices to energy-efficient innovations, it was clear that the future of smart home technology is bright—and getting smarter. 

Here are some key trends and insights I gathered about what’s coming next for smart homes.

AI is leading the way

AI is Leading the Way

If there’s one thing that stood out at CES, it’s that artificial intelligence is becoming the cornerstone of smart home technology. 

AI-powered devices are no longer just smart—they’re learning. 

For example, companies showcased thermostats that don’t just adjust the temperature but also analyze your habits, energy usage, and even local weather patterns to create a more personalized and efficient experience. 

AI isn’t just in the background anymore; it’s taking center stage, helping devices predict and adapt to our needs.

Smart Home Interconnectivity

Improved Interconnectivity

Remember the frustration of trying to get one device to talk to another? Those days are fading fast. 

New smart home products are finally embracing universal communication standards like Matter, a new protocol designed to make devices from different brands seamlessly work together. 

Whether you're controlling lights, locks, or even your garage door, the future is one where everything just works—no more pulling your hair out over compatibility issues.

Security Gets Smarter

Cybersecurity is always a concern in smart homes, and CES delivered some promising advancements. AI-driven security systems are stepping up their game, offering real-time threat detection and even facial recognition features for added layers of protection. 

Smart locks, cameras, and even doorbells are being designed to not only secure your home but also learn and adapt to unusual behavior.

With hacking threats always evolving, it’s great to see the industry prioritizing safety as much as convenience. 

For those worried about cybersecurity, my book The Personal Cybersecurity Manual and my course Personal Cybersecurity Protection can help you take simple but effective steps to secure your smart devices.

Final Thoughts

The future of smart home technology is exciting, dynamic, and more integrated than ever before. Whether it’s AI-powered personalization, sustainable energy systems, or improved device compatibility, the innovations I saw at CES suggest that our homes are going to get smarter—and more human-friendly.

If you’ve been on the fence about diving into smart home tech, now is a great time to start exploring. With so many advancements coming down the pipeline, your home could soon be the smartest thing on your block. 

And if you need help figuring it all out, you know where to find me.

Marlon Buchanan

Marlon Buchanan is a best-selling author, IT Director, and founder of HomeTechHacker.com, a website with free resources to help you make the most of your home technology.

If you have questions or comments about this article you can contact Marlon through his website or X (Twitter).